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New solar desalination breakthrough makes fresh water without toxic brine This sunlight-powered desalination breakthrough turns seawater into fresh water while harvesting valuable minerals. Date: May 31, 2026 Source: University of Rochester Summary: Scientists have developed a solar desalination system that turns seawater into drinking water without creating environmentally damaging brine. Special laser-textured metal panels use sunlight to evaporate water while automatically moving salt deposits away from the working surface, preventing clogging. The process was successfully tested with water from three oceans and can recover nearly all salts as solids. Those leftover materials could even become a source of valuable lithium for batteries.Quote: "The system relies on specially engineered solar panels made from black metal that has been textured with femtosecond lasers. "
Maybe they need fast pulses? Would be a mass product..